Slow Down Phone Down: Avoid Distracted Driving

Whether you’re eating lunch on the way to a meeting, doing makeup on the drive into work or simply changing the song on your Spotify playlist, almost everyone is guilty of some form of distracted driving. These days, people love to multitask every second of every day: talking on the phone while sending a text with a podcast playing in the background. Unfortunately, too many people are attempting to multitask even when they’re behind the wheel. Gary Barbera is bring awareness about distracted driving through is Slow Down Phone Down initiative. Here’s why people should slow down and put their phones down.

The Stats

It’s not just a problem among teens anymore—it’s common among people of all ages. In fact, one of the leading causes of car accidents is texting and driving. Statistics show that nearly one in five drivers text while behind the wheel. According to the NHTSA, sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.

3 Types of Distractions

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts the driver’s attention from driving, but there are three different classifications of distractions.

Visual- Occurs when you take your eyes off the road.

Cognitive- When your mind is focused on something other than driving.

Manual- When you take your hands off the wheel at any point while driving.

PA Distracted Driving Laws

Anything that takes your attention away from driving, takes your eyes off the road or take your hands off the wheel is a form of distracted driving. Pennsylvania issued a texting-while-driving ban which prohibits the use of any driver from using devices to send, read or write text-based communication while the vehicle is in motion.

Texting-while-driving is a summary offense in Pennsylvania in addition to a $50 violation fine. However, with additional fees, surcharges and court costs, the driver usually pays over $100. In 2015, there were 2,857 citations issued for Pennsylvania’s four laws that prohibit texting or wearing headphones while driving, and that ban commercial drivers from using a cell phone while behind the wheel, at all.

Take your time while driving. Gary Barbera, of Barbera Autoland, is committed to bringing awareness about distracted driving in Philadelphia. Want to learn more about his initiative? Visit his website or contact Barbera Autoland today!